Elastic-fluid turbine.



G. WESTINGHOUSE. ELASTIC FLUID TURBINE. APPLICATION PILED DEO.28,1905.

995,508. 1 Patented Jun 20,1911.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE WESTINGHOUSE, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE WEST- INGHOUSE MACHINE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

ELASTIC-FLUID TURBINE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed December 26, 1905; Serial No. 293,162.

Patented June 20, 1911.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnoncn lVEs'r Nc- JIULSE. a citizen of the United States and a resident of Pittsburg, in the county of Alleghenv and State of Pennsylvania, have 1n- VElliQtl a new and. useful Improrement 1n I llastic-Fluid 'lurldnes, of wh ch the following is a specification. r This invention relates to elastic flu d turbines and, as an object, has the product on of an organized apparatus of this class which. I believe, is superior to anythn'ig heretofore produced.

A further object has been to produce a coinpuuiul or multi-stage machine, each stage of which develops its proportion of the useful work in the most efficient manner. 1 As the niulti-expansion .Parsons type of turbine has proven to be exceptionally efficient; as various 'forms of impulse types have proven to be efiicient as high pressure turbines and 'as the balance pistons necessarv in the sin gle. flow Pa sons type of inacl'iine are a source of more or less serious trouble, a further object of this invention has been to produce an organized appa; ratus of the class known as two-bearing machines in the initial or high pressure stage or section of whiclf the impulse system is utilized, while in the intermed ate or low pressure-section or-stage the Parsons principle is inade use of, and the low pressure section so arranged that the low pressure balance pistons now common to the single flow Parsons type are rendered unnecessary.

W'hile various means liave been suggested for doing away with the balance pistons necessary in the Iarsonsil turbine. none, so far as I am aware. ha've metwith success. The means most widely tried, I believe. has

been to build the machine so that the working fluidis taken in at the center or at opposite ends and flows in two tlllBCtlOllS through Iii-laterally symmetrical halves. This necessitates a long machine with relatively great distance between the bearings,

and, either.necessitates a higher speed than' is m-actical for a given sized machine, or

such short blades and vanes in the primary and intermediate stages or sections, that the rwdialrleara nee-leakage therein becomes of serious moment.

The balance pistons now common inthe- Parsons single flow machines, which. balance the axial thrust due to fluid ressures inherent in this type of turbine (m which the fluid is expandedin the passages bot-h between the blades forming the annular rotor rows as well as the vanes forming the annular stator rows and in which the power is derived both by impulse and reaction), are made steam tight by the labyrinth syS- of packing and thefine clearances necessary in this type of packing have rendered 1t practically impossible to utilize balance pistons when the low are of large diameter.

A :t'u'rther object has been to so divide the low pressure Parsons element of my organized machine that the fluid flows through it in opposite directions, much the pressure blade drums same as in the double-flow machine above referred to, whereby the axial thrusts of the low pressure stage or section are balanced. The object-ions which are present in a machine which is entirely double flow however, do not hold with the low pressure sec 'tion alone, as htilized by me, for the work- 'outlet of the intermediate stage or section to the balance division of the low stage, are done away with.

A still further object has been to produce anorganized machine having a divided low pressure section as described, in which the blades of the intermediate sections may be long enough. ,to render the radial clearance leakages of comparatively small value.

These and other objects I attain in a turbine constructed as described in the specifications. illustrated in the single sheet drawing and pointed out in the appended claims. i

The single view is a longitudinal section of the upper half of an organized turbine embodying this invention.

The turbine rotor, which is carried on the pressure shaft 1, comprises two drums 2 and 3 with an intermediate.- quill or drum 4; bolted or otherwise secured to Webs 5 and 6 of said I drums. The quill or drum carries an im pulse wheel 7 which is preferably formed integrally with a ring 8 forming a balance piston for the intermediate stage or section of the turbine. A casing 9 divided on the horizontal plane through its axis, as is now common, surrounds the rotor and has its inner surface so formed that fluid passages of the proper area are provided. A normal inletlO and an overloadinlet 11 lead to the interior of the casing or stator, and each 1 impulse blades being arranged to fractionally abstract the energy due to said velocity.' The nozzles 12 may be either di- Vergent or not, depending upon the pressure drop desired.

The running wheel 7 is provided with openings 15 therethrough'to insure like pressures on its opposite side at all times. The

working fluid issuing from the last rowo'f impulse blades 13 enters the annular opening 16 at the beginning of the intermediate stage or section; which section comprises annular rows of stationary vanes 17 secured to the, stator and annularrows of blades 18 carried by the rotor. These vanes and blades 17 and 18 respectively are formed and spaced apart so that the fluid passing through the intermediate stage or section will-be fractionally expanded, and so that sages between the blades said expansion will occur both in the pasand the passages between the vanes,.whereby the useful work will be performed bothby impulse and by reaction.-

Drums 2-and 3 carry the blades. for the divided low pressure stageor section; drum 2 carries annular rows ofblades 19 similar to blades 18 which alternate with annular rows of stationary vanes 20 similar to vanes 17, while drum 3 carries similar annular rows-of blades'21 which alternate with similar rows of vanes 22.

The hollow uill or drum 4 ateach end is rovided with uid passages 23 in order that alf the fluid issuing from the outlet of the intermediate section may pass through the quill to the balance division of the low pressure section, including blades 21 and Balance piston 8, for the intermediate sta e or section, is made steam tight by the of packing which, in comprises annular grooves 24sformed in ring 8 and annular renewable flanges or strips25seeured to the stator and which lie withinsaid grooves. The two exhausts 26 and 27 connect With'a the outer sides of the drums 2. and 3 are the same. the drums are the-same owing to the flu d Working fluid leaks packing for the intermediate balance does useful work in the balance division of the low pressure stage orsection.

It will be understood that a so-called 28 of'shaft 1 is utilized for maintaining the proper axial clearances between the co-acts mg portions of the labyrinth packing.

to the shaft and'prevented fromf movement and describifnguny invention.

to secure byLettersPatent i's-z' "1. In combination with one ormore'stages of an elastic fluid turbine havingan inherent dynamic axial-thrust in one direction-only; means tending to st thrust'and a divided low pressure stagereceiving the fluid from said stage or stages saiddivisions are balanced.

high-pressureimpulse section,

nular rows of stationarywanes and moving blades are utilized for fractionally expandceives working fluid from the intermediate stage and through-which thefluid flows in opposite directions,

3. In combination with :an elastic fluid turbine, one or more stages through which the fluid flows in. one axial direction only, means for statically balancin the axial fluid pressure in said stages an d and counterbalanced low pressure stage in each division of which. the working 'fluid performs useful work. I 4, In an elastic 'fluidturb ine, an i' 'tial stagethrough which the working fluid ows in one axial direction only,iand in which velocity energy due to the conversion of the common condenser so that the pressures on The pressure on the .inner sides of thrust bearing (notshown) adjacent to end' and through which the fluid passes in oppo-..- site directionswhereby theaxial thrust-s of a ing the working flu'ithand a dividedalow pressure stage, each division of which re'-.

thermal energy into kineticpassage through the hollow quill. What I through the labyrinth PlStOl1' The hub 29 of drum 3 is rigidly secured therealong by means of a collar 3'0, whileexpansions which oc v It will be understood that various changes 7 may be made in the apparatus without de parting from the spirit of this invention and that a specific structure is shown and described merely for the sakeof illustrating What I claim as new and useful'and desire tieally counteract said los 2, In an elastic-fluid.turbine, a single-flow v a' single-flow:-

intermediate sectionfi'n-jwhichalternate an.- 1

a divided without further'expansion, an intermediate s sta e in communication one with the other stage receiving the workin fluid from said initial stage, through whic the fluid flows in one axial] direction only, and which comprises alternate annular rows of stationary vanes and moving blades whereby the fluid is fractionallyexpanded and energy derived bothb impulse and by reaction, means for statica ly balancing the'axi'al thrust inherent i the intermediate stage, a divided low pressure stage, each division of which comrises alternate annular rows of vanes and hides similar to those ofthe intermediate stage", through which the fluid flows in opposite-axial directions and a hollow rotor or spindle placing the inlets to said low pressure stage in communication one withthe other.

5. In an elastic fluid turbine, an initial stage through which the working fluid flows in one direction only and in which velocity ener due to the conversion of the working flui s thermal energy. into kinetic energy in the form'of velocity is absorbed, an intermediate stage throu h which the fluid flows in onedirection on y and which comprises alternate annular rows' of stationary vanes and moving blades, formed and spaced a art so that the fluid assing therethrougli is fra'ctionally expan ed and energy derived, both by impulse and by reaction, a divided low pressure stage, each-division of which com rises alternate annular rows of vanes. and lades similar to those of the intermediate stage, and through which the fluid flows in op osite directions and a hollow rotor or spi e placing the inletends of the low pressure stage in communication one with the other.-

6. In an elastic fluid turbine, aninitial stage throu h which the working fluid flows in one axia direction only, and in which velocity ener due to the conversion of the working uids thermal ener into kinetic energy in the form of veloclty is fractionally abstracted, an intermediate stage receiving theworking fluid issuing from said initial stage, through which the fluid flows'in one axial direction only and which comprisesalternatie annular rows of stationary vanesand moving blades, whereby the fluid 'assi'n therethrough is 'fractionally expanded, a ivided low pressure stage, eac division of which com rises alternate annular rows of blades an vanes so formed and s aced apart that the fluid passing theretrough is 'fract nally abstracted and energy derived both I y im ulse and. by reaction, and'throu'gh which he-fluid flows in opposite axial directlons and a -assa e t rough the turbine rotor tpllacing t e i at ends of the divisions of e low ;--pressure an elastic fluid turbine, an initial stage through which the working fluid flows in one axial direction only and in which velocity energy, due to the conversion of the thermal energy of the working fluid into kinetic energy in the form of velocity is fractionally abstracted Without further expansion, an intermediate sta e receiving the working fluid through said through which the fluid flows in one axial direction only and which comprises alternate annular rows of stationary vanes and moving blades so formed and spaced apart that the fluid passin through such stage is true? tionally expan ed and energy derived both by impulse and by reaction, means for statinitial stage,

ically balancing the axial thrust inherent in 3 f the intermed ate stage, a divided low pressure stage, each divison of which comprises alternate'annular rows of blades and vanes similar to those of the intermediate stage, and through which the fluid flows in opposite axial directions and a hollow rotor ormin the passage whereby the inlet ends of the ivisions of the low pressure stage are placed incommunication one with the other. 8. In an elastic fluid turbine, a rotor hav ing two low pressure drums and a' fluid conduit or passage within the rotor for placing the inlet ends of said drums in communion: tion one with the other.

- 9. In an eltastic fluid turbine, a turbine rotor having 0 w pressure drums at its opposite ends and a fluid passage within the .rotor whereby the inletends of said drums are placed in communication one with the other.

10. In combination in an elastic fluid turbine, aturbine spindle, a casing therefor hayii' low pressure chambers at opposite cndsjgladed pistons mounted on said spindle and located within said chambers and means of communication leading through said ipindle from one-to the other of said chamers. I

11. In an elastic fluid turbine, an initial stage, a normalv load admission port com municafting therewith, a secondary stage, an overload admission port communicatin therewith, means for balancing the axia I thrust of said secondary stage and a divided final stage, through the separate sections of which the fluid flows in opposite axial directions whereb said turbine is balanced for all loads an steam pressures.

12. In an elastic fluid turbine, 11 series of working stages arranged to successively receive motive fluid, .a divided stage located in said series, through the separate sections of which the working fluid flows in o posite axial directions, and a assage coated within the rotor of said tur inc and located between the separate sections of said divided sta e.

-1 In an elastic fluid turbine, a series of working stages arranged to successively rel5 .In an elastic fluid turbine, :1 series of \\'oz'kiiig"stj nges arranged to auoiressively rec ive 'inotive flinch-u divided stage located in ;=.n' id series. the: se mrnte sections of which 'are located symmetrically with respect to the oenter of said tur'l'iine and a passage through the rotor of said turbine for placing lhe inlet ends ol" said sections in oommuni 'ntion one with the other.

it in an elastic fluid "turbine, a rotor having two \\-'orltii'ig drums (if-equal diameters. one being located. at eachend of said turbine, ind a passage withinthe turbine-rotor for placing said drums in coinmunicution one w th the other.

17; In a multi-s'tage elastic fluid turbine, a higlrpre" re stage, one or more stages "of re, and means for balancing one or more of id stages of lower pressure, said means employing relatively high pressure steam and being loeated between the high.

pressure and the stage of lower pressure.

In an elastic fluid turbine, two -or-k ing stagesof equal diameters located at opposito ends o t the turbine and through which the motive. fluid flows in opposite di- Copies of thls patent may be obtained for five entaieach, by addressing the "(iomniissloner of intents,

rt-etiorn; towurd the ends of the turbine, and u pnssuge located within the turbine rotor connecting the inlets to said stages.

19. An elastic fluid turbine provided with two working stages of equa-ldiameters, one

20. An elastic fluid turbine having two working stages of equal vdiameters through "which the working fluidfiows in OJPOSltJB axial direetions and a passage locate "1n the rotor of the turbine between the stages.

21. In an elastic fluidturbine, the comb nation with the shaft, of a casing, a packing between the shaftand the casing, 'a" drum having a high pressure p art and .a low'pres sure part, and a single. puckingrbetween the casing and the drum located betweenthe high pressure part; and thelo'w pressure part.

In an elastic fluid turbine, the comblnation with the shaft, of a casing, a packing between the shaft and the casing, a drum having a high pressure part and a-low pres-' sure part, means for causing the fluid to traverse the low pressure part in the 'oppo site direction to the high pressure part, and a single. packing between the casing and the drum located between the high pressure pert i and the low \pressure part.

In testimony whereof, I hare hereuntosubscribedmy name this 21stday ofDece'm-p 'be'r, 1905.

GEO. WESTINGHOUSE. W itnesses: H. C. TnNnu,

l WYM. H. CAP'EL.

Washington, D. 0." 

